The winter months can wreak havoc on a home, with harsh winds and snow constantly battering the exterior. But, now that spring is here, it’s time to get back outside and tackle those projects you put off during the cold weather! In this post, we’ll talk about four of the most important projects for homeowners to take care of after winter: inspecting your roof, having your gutters cleaned, checking your chimney cap, and sealing up any cracks in the foundation.
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#1 Inspecting your roof
Roofs take a beating during the winter months. Snow and ice buildup on roofs, weighing them down and increasing the chance for leaks to occur in your ceiling or attic. Therefore, it’s essential to inspect your roof after every significant snowfall so you can nip any potential problems in the bud before they become major issues.
A great way to tell if there is an issue with your roof is by looking at the light coming through it – if you can see more light than usual, this could indicate that water has made its way into your home (and even worse: mold). Another thing to look out for is dark stains on the house’s exterior; these are signs that something may be wrong with shingles near those spots. If you notice any of these issues, call a roofing contractor immediately for an inspection.
#2 Have your gutters cleaned
Gutters take a lot of abuse during the winter months, especially when they get clogged and ice builds up in them. To avoid damage to your gutters or foundation (more on that later), make sure you clean out your gutters at least once a month after heavy snowfalls. In addition, suppose there is an overhang from your roof above where the gutter sits.
In that case, it’s even more important to have this done regularly because leaves can be blown into these areas and cause blockages along with other problems for structures near the top of roofs, such as vents, skylights, or chimneys. Professional eavestrough cleaning services are typically inexpensive, so don’t put it off – do this job yourself or hire someone reputable to help you out!
#3 Check your chimney cap
It’s important to make sure your chimney cap is in good shape during the winter months because these can be knocked loose by heavy snow or ice, allowing moisture into your home when you light fires. If this happens, water will drip down from above and cause damage inside of your house – not what anyone wants!
That being said, it doesn’t matter if there isn’t a fire lit every day; checking that the cap hasn’t come off should still be part of your spring cleaning routine. Also, check for any cracks around where the flue meets the exterior wall to ensure no damage has occurred due to windstorms or other issues.
#4 Seal up any cracks in the foundation
Foundation cracks are a common problem for older homes. They allow moisture in which can lead to mold and other issues, causing structural damage over time as well as potential health problems due to the spores released by this kind of fungi (i.e., black toxic mold). That being said, foundation cracks typically start small but grow larger with time. Therefore, if you see any new ones or notice that they seem to be getting bigger, it’s important to seal them up quickly and find out what’s causing them so you can take preventative measures in the future.
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